SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Cristina Castro that will give patients more freedom and flexibility to choose where to receive vision care services was signed into law Friday.

“This law ensures we prioritize patients and their eye doctors over insurance companies,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Empowering people with information about their vision plan and the fees and services it covers is just common sense.”

The legislation creates the Vision Care Plan Regulation Act. Under the new law, insurance companies are prohibited from changing the terms, fees or reimbursement rates of a vision care plan during the contract term unless providers and the vision care organization agree to the terms. Castro’s plan also requires vision care providers to disclose any business interests they have with an out-of-network source or supplier they recommended to a patient. Upon the patient’s request, providers must offer in-network sources instead.

A 2017 study published in the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology found that vision impairments, loss or blindness could cost a person an average of $16,838 annually. That total does not include routine vision and eye care exams or care for a condition that is not associated with vision loss.

“Basic vision care should not be difficult to access,” said Castro. “No one should be forced to pay more for out-of-network care when affordable, covered care is available. Under this law, people have the right to ask for in-network referrals when needed.”

Senate Bill 764 was signed into law Friday and takes effect immediately.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois students will soon have an easier time transferring across public colleges and universities without having to repeat courses they have already earned major credit for, thanks to an initiative championed by State Senator Cristina Castro that was signed into law Friday.

“The first iteration of the Illinois Articulation Initiative was a success,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Now that we have a blueprint set in place, it’s time to expand transfer equivalency to all major courses so that our students can graduate without barriers and begin a meaningful career.”

In 2016, the General Assembly passed the Illinois Articulation Initiative Act. The Act codified a longstanding statewide agreement known as the Illinois Articulation Initiative by requiring that all public institutions, both community colleges and universities, participate in IAI through submission and review of their courses for statewide transfer consistency.

Previously, general education courses were required to be transferable as a part of the General Education Core Curriculum package. However, higher education institutions had the option of accepting IAI major courses either as direct course equivalents or as elective credit. As a result, some students transferring to a public university have had to repeat courses they already completed at a community college because their university did not recognize the course as fulfilling the requirements for the major.

Castro’s law expands the Illinois Articulation Initiative by requiring public colleges and universities to accept all major courses approved for transfer as equivalent major courses, as long as that major is offered at the receiving institution. This change protects students from having to repeat courses, thereby saving them money and reducing their time to degree completion.

“The data tells us that it’s already harder for lower-income students to get a four-year degree, even when they start out at a community college,” Castro said. “Under this new law, students transferring to a four-year college will be able to do so quickly and more affordably.”

Senate Bill 2288 was signed into law Friday and takes effect Jan. 1, 2024.

ELGIN – State Senator Cristina Castro announced that the Village of Carpentersville will receive $4 million in funding from the Illinois EPA to replace lead service lines in the community.

“Clean drinking water is a basic human right, and it’s especially important that our children have access to clean water that is lead-free,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “Investing in replacing these pipes will keep harmful chemicals out of our water and give Carpentersville families, schools and businesses peace of mind that their water infrastructure is safe, healthy and upgraded.”

The Illinois EPA’s State Revolving Fund provides low-interest loan funding for drinking water, wastewater and stormwater projects. The Village of Carpentersville will use the $4 million to replace outdated lines, ensuring residents are consuming and using water free from toxic lead.

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Cristina Castro that will improve apprenticeship programs to ensure that individuals in underrepresented populations can gain access to careers in the construction and building trades industries is now law.

“State-funded capital projects have the potential to economically invigorate a local community, and this legislation will help make sure those projects prioritize minority, veteran and women apprentices,” said Castro (D-Elgin). “People who have completed the Illinois Works Preapprenticeship Program are highly trained and have a wealth of specialized knowledge, and providing incentives to hire and train more apprentices will enhance diversity in commerce throughout our state.”

The legislation expands the Illinois Works Jobs Program Act and the programs that qualify for bid credit to incentivize contractors to increase the diversity of their workforce. Under the measure, graduates of the Illinois Works Preapprenticeship Program, the Climate Works Preapprenticeship Program or the Highway Construction Careers Training Program would qualify for credits that can be used toward future bids for state-contracted public works projects. The measure also increases the program’s goal by requiring at least 50% of the labor hours for each prevailing wage classification to be performed by graduates of the preapprenticeship program, instead of the current 10% requirement.

The legislation, House Bill 2300, was signed into law Friday and takes effect immediately.